Accident During Fly-In: Pilot Avoids ATV on Runway, Strikes Tree

Incident Details

A pilot was landing on a gravel runway as part of an organized fly-in event. During the landing roll, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) entered the runway and proceeded down it, weaving from side to side. In an attempt to avoid the ATV, the pilot pulled back on the control yoke and climbed the airplane over the ATV. The airplane then drifted to the left and struck a tree on the edge of the runway. It subsequently turned left 180 degrees and came to rest in the brush alongside the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right aileron.

Pilot's Statement

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot noted that the accident might have been avoided if organizations that host such events take responsibility for securing the runway.